The war for cybersecurity talent hits the Hill

Many analysts and business leaders believe there is a severe need for qualified cybersecurity professionals in the U.S., something that has caught the eye of at least one key congressman.

U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) on Wednesday said more needs to be done to address the cybersecurity labor shortage.

“I agree 110% that we need to strengthen the workforce” of cybersecurity professionals, McCaul said during a meeting with reporters at the National Press Club.

McCaul was referring not only to cybersecurity workers needed for U.S. government agencies, but also for U.S. businesses that control the nation’s critical infrastructure, including the electric grid and electronic healthcare records. “Eighty percent of the malicious codes are in the private sector,” he said.